Should my tween specialize in a single sport? Or should she/he do a variety of sports to vary movements and muscle groups?
I encourage children to practice diversity with sports. Recruiting a variety of muscle groups and activating tendons and ligaments that would otherwise be unstimulated can help a budding athlete optimize their fitness. Overuse injuries can develop when muscle groups are repeatedly utilized without time for recovery. For example, stress fractures are not uncommon for cross-country runners in high school. Tommy John surgery has more than doubled in the past decade at the high school level for baseball players who are solely focused on pitching.
Maintaining a variety of training practices will maximize an athlete’s strength and agility, creating a well-rounded athlete who is less likely to get injured. If a child is keen on a particular sport, take the off-season for practice drills and withhold competitive play to recover and work on proper technique. The key is to establish healthy practices and minimize the risk of overuse. Varying sports can also offer different psychological benefits, building focus, resiliency, teamwork, and stamina. Solidifying mental fortitude is just as important as strengthening muscles for any young athlete to be successful.
